Burma Campaign UK today welcomed news that a planned ‘open dialogue’ event organised by the Burmese Embassy in London has been cancelled. The Embassy is currently under the control of the Burmese military.
The event planned for today was called off after Burma Campaign UK and Burmese community organisation Stars of Myanmar Friendship called for the event to be boycotted, had organised a planned protest at the Burmese embassy during the event, and written to Ambassadors of countries likely to be invited, asking them not to attend.
The so-called open dialogue event is part of a new public relations offensive by the Burmese military as they desperately seek international recognition after sham elections in late 2025 and early 2026.
Minn Tent Bo, Advocacy Officer at Burma Campaign UK said:
“This is a humiliation for the military-controlled embassy in London. It was ridiculous that they ever thought they could get away with holding an open dialogue event when open dialogue is banned in Burma. We will block any attempt by the embassy to seek legitimacy and we continue to campaign for the military attaché, Captain Soe Aung, to be deported from the UK.”
Julie Khine, co-founder of Stars of Myanmar Friendship said:
“To the Myanmar Embassy: Don’t try again on our democratic soil. We’ll respond strongly to your propaganda work for war criminal Min Aung Hlaing. We don’t recognise the illegitimate government.”
Chris Gunness, Director of the Myanmar Accountability Project said:
“Engaging with mass murderers empowers them to commit increasing rounds of mass murder. Engaging with people who have fixed elections and ignored the will of their people empowers them to greater heights of illegitimacy and impunity. Sanctions and accountability are the way out of Myanmar’s quagmire. Engagement right now serves only to fuel further cycles of violence and humanitarian catastrophe”.
A small celebratory protest will still go ahead from 1-2pm at the embassy today.
Venue:
19A Charles Street
London
W1J 5DX